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Veteran and Businessman Donald McGrath Was 88

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 - 4:46pm

A. Donald McGrath of Simsbury, Conn. and Martha’s Vineyard, beloved husband of Eleanor L. (Conroy) McGrath, died Saturday, June 29 at St. Francis Hospital. He was 88.

He was born Jan. 12, 1925 in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of the late Arthur H. and May (Hanson) McGrath. Don was raised in Brooklyn, where he completed high school. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Air Force. Following his service in the Air Force, Don attended St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, N.Y.

In 1950, Don married his childhood sweetheart, Eleanor Louise Conroy, and moved with his wife to Hartford, Conn., later settling in Simsbury, where he and Eleanor raised their four daughters. For many years, Don was president of McGrath Davis, Inc., a general contracting company in Hartford. Mr. McGrath had many interests, including golfing, sailing, the Simsbury Theater Guild and the opera. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church and Choir in West Simsbury, Conn., and was a CCD Teacher for many years at St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury.

In 1988, Don and Eleanor retired to Martha’s Vineyard, where Don was an advisor for the Service Corp of Retired Executives (S.C.O.R.E), a member of the board of directors of the Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club, and a member of the Farm Neck Golf Club. Don and Eleanor enjoyed spending time with their family and friends at their Vineyard home.

Besides his loving wife of 63 years, Don is survived by his four daughters, Patricia McGrath of Marshfield, Susan McGrath and her husband Jack Drozd of Old Saybrook, Conn., Shelaugh McGrath of Avon, Conn., and Ellen McGrath Skaret and her husband Steve Skaret of Simsbury, Conn., and three grandchildren, Meaghan Fallon, Julia McGrath and Molly McGrath. He was predeceased by his sister, Florence Allen.

There are no calling hours. Family and friends are invited to a funeral Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated Friday, July 5, 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 265 Stratton Brook Road in West Simsbury, Conn. Interment with military honors will follow in Simsbury Cemetery. Reception for family and friends to be held at St. Catherine’s of Siena Church.

Memorial donations may be made to Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club, P.O. Box 654, Edgartown, MA 02539. Please visit Don’s Book of Memories at vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.